# US 2016/0259018 A1 · Magnetic resonance imaging system and method

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- Number: US 2016/0259018 A1
- Document ID: US20160259018A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/778,432
- Filed: 2013-11-28
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-20
- Assignees: Jiangsu Magspin Instrument Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Jiangsu Magspin Instrument Co., Ltd
- Inventors: Huawei ZHAO
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259018A1

## CPC

- G01R 33/30: Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms
- A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
- G01R 33/288: {Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room}
- G01R 33/34007: {Manufacture of RF coils, e.g. using printed circuit board technology; additional hardware for providing mechanical support to the RF coil assembly or to part thereof, e.g. a support for moving the coil assembly relative to the remainder of the MR system}
- G01R 33/34046: {Volume type coils, e.g. bird-cage coils; Quadrature bird-cage coils; Circularly polarised coils}
- G01R 33/385: using gradient magnetic field coils
- G01R 33/3858: {Manufacture and installation of gradient coils, means for providing mechanical support to parts of the gradient-coil assembly (manufacture of inductances or coils in general H01F41/00)}
- G01R 33/3875: using correction coil assemblies, e.g. active shimming
- G01R 33/3854: {means for active and/or passive vibration damping or acoustical noise suppression in gradient magnet coil systems}
- G01R 33/387: Compensation of inhomogeneities
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method are disclosed. The system includes: an independently arranged main magnet (30); and a gradient coil (40) and a radio frequency coil (50), both connected to a patient bed (60). A bore (100) is formed in a central portion of the main magnet (30), for containing the patient bed (60), the gradient coil (40) and the radio frequency coil (50). In this system, the gradient coil (40) and the radio frequency coil (50) are separated from the main magnet (30) instead of being integrated with the main magnet (30), thus avoiding making a patient claustrophobic feeling in a too narrow space. In addition, the system lowers the requirements on the magnet material and shielding space and thus leads to further reductions in costs and maintenance expenses.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising:
a main magnet, provided with a bore formed in a central portion thereof;
a patient bed, movable in and out of the bore;
a gradient coil and a radio frequency coil, both connected to the patient bed and separated from the main magnet.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The MRI system of claim 1, further comprising a field shimming means connected to the patient bed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The MRI system of claim 2, wherein the gradient coil, the radio frequency coil and the field homogenization means are all in detachable or movable connection with the patient bed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The MRI system of claim 2, wherein the gradient coil, the radio frequency coil and the field shimming means are sequentially disposed over a portion of interest of a body of a patient and each have a size and a shape corresponding to a size and a shape of the portion of interest.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The MRI system of claim 1, wherein the main magnet is a unitary hollow cylinder and the bore is a circular bore.

### Claim 6

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method comprising:
providing a main magnet having a bore formed in a central portion thereof;
disposing a body of a patient on a patient bed;
connecting a gradient coil and a radio frequency coil, which are both separated from the main magnet, to the patient bed and disposing the gradient coil and the radio frequency coil over a portion of interest of the body of the patient; and
moving the patient bed into the bore and performing MRI on the portion of interest of the body of the patient.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
connecting a field shimming means to the patient bed and positioning the field shimming means on the portion of interest of the body of the patient.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency coil, the gradient coil and the field shimming means are sequentially disposed over the portion of interest of the body of the patient.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the main magnet is a unitary hollow cylinder and the bore is a circular bore.